A nurse is conducting a prenatal education session for expectant parents. Which maternal condition should the nurse identify as a risk factor for congenital heart diseases?

A) The answer is A. Monitoring urine output closely is essential postoperatively to assess kidney perfusion and fluid balance, as infants are at risk of fluid shifts after cardiac surgery.

B) Incorrect. While administering prescribed analgesics is important for postoperative pain management, it is not the priority intervention among the options provided.

C) Incorrect. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises is important to prevent respiratory complications, but it is not the priority intervention immediately after cardiac surgery.

D) Incorrect. Elevating the head of the bed can help with respiratory effort, but it is not the priority intervention. Monitoring urine output and fluid balance is more critical in the early postoperative period.

A) Incorrect. Left-sided heart failure typically presents with symptoms such as pulmonary congestion, shortness of breath, and crackles in the lungs, rather than cyanosis and clubbing.

B) Incorrect. Right-sided heart failure can cause peripheral edema and jugular vein distention, but it does not usually lead to cyanosis and clubbing.

C) The answer is C. Cyanosis and clubbing of the fingers are signs of chronic hypoxia, which can occur in pulmonary hypertension. This condition increases pulmonary vascular resistance and impairs oxygenation, leading to these characteristic symptoms.

D) Incorrect. Peripheral vascular disease primarily affects the arteries and veins in the extremities and is not directly related to cyanosis and clubbing of the fingers.